MXPA06004213A

MXPA06004213A - Collapsible integrated pallet system.

Info

Publication number: MXPA06004213A
Application number: MXPA06004213A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Sergio Ramirez Von Holle; Alfred Holzheu
Original assignee: Sergio Ramirez Von Holle
Priority date: 2003-10-15
Filing date: 2004-10-05
Publication date: 2007-01-19
Also published as: WO2005040013A2; PE20050801A1; UY28560A1; KR20070001059A; ZA200603826B; EP1689650A4; RU2006115836A; AU2004284052A1; JP2007508216A; BRPI0415594A; US7004083B2; CA2542745A1; US20050081763A1; CN1910086A; WO2005040013A3; EP1689650A2; AR046289A1

Abstract

The collapsible shipping pallet incorporates a substantially planar deck (12) with multiple stringers (14) removably attached to the bottom of the deck. Shouldered holes (22) arranged in linear spaced relation at predetermined stringer attachment locations on the deck engage resilient slotted pins (24) extending from a top edge each stringer. Multiple slats (16), each extending perpendicularly to the stringers and removably received in a relief on a bottom edge of each stringer are attached to the stringers also using resilient slotted pins. The stringers support triangular jaws (78, 80) inserted in triangular recesses (82) in an end portion of the stringer to receive and restrain pallet straps. An aperture (100) in the side of the stringer allows insertion of a slotted crank to tension the pallet straps. The deck incorporates slots (132) adapted to receive keys (134) to extend above the surface of the deck engaging receiving slots in a first layer of stacking boxes.

Description

However, the volume of boarding with empty pallets continues to be an important issue in the reuse of the pallet. The stacking and retention of the goods that are loaded onto the existing pallets are commonly carried out by stacking the boxes of goods on the pallet and securing the boxes with metal or plastic wrapping. Fibreboard or wooden cardboard boxes can slip off each other by dumping the loaded pallet. Interlocked box systems such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 5,497,939 under the title Container with Panel Lock have been developed to partially avoid this problem. However, a pallet system for integrated securing of such containers is not available. Therefore it is advisable that a pallet is easily assembled from the disassemblable condition facilitating empty boarding with an efficient volume. It is also advisable that a pallet is built of low weight materials for the reduction of the weight of boarding both in its disassemblable and loaded form. Additionally, it is advisable that a pallet incorporates integrated assurance features to accommodate interlocked box systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The detachable shipping pallet of the present invention incorporates a basically flat platform with multiple horizontal beams that are detachably attached to the lower part of the platform. The platform incorporates orifices with support that are arranged in a linear separation relationship at predetermined fixing locations of the horizontal beams. The flexible slotted pins extend from an upper edge of each horizontal beam, each pin has a shank and an expanded head that is opposite the upper edge of the horizontal beam. The cylindrical collars are inserted in the respective hole with support and a flap that extends from the body of the collar that engages the support of the hole. Each collar has an inner diameter with an area with a first diameter that is adjusted to receive the stem of a pin and a second area of diameter that forms a support for coupling the head that tightens the pin in the hole to secure the horizontal beam to the platform. Various fins, which extend perpendicularly to the horizontal beams and which are received in a removable form in a recess in the lower edge of each horizontal beam are also joined to the horizontal beams using flexible grooved pins, a pin that depends on a surface upper part of the respective fin recess in each horizontal beam. Each pin has a stem and an expanded head opposite the upper surface of the recess. The cylindrical collars coupled as described above are inserted into the respective holes with a support in a fin to tighten the pin inside the hole thus securing the fin to the horizontal beam. The horizontal beams incorporate triangular jaws that are inserted in triangular recesses at one end of the horizontal beam that has slots to receive and fix the straps of the pallet. An opening in the side of the horizontal beam allows the insertion of a slotted crank to tighten the straps of the pallet. The periphery of the platform incorporates grooves that are adapted to receive the keys that extend over the surface of the receiving grooves that engage the platform in a first layer of stacked boxes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 corresponds to a perspective view of the platform and the lateral horizontal beam of a pallet that is incorporated in the present invention; Figure 2 corresponds to a bottom perspective view of the pallet of Figure 1; Figure 3 corresponds to an isometric view of a horizontal beam of the pallet of Fig. 1; Figure 4a corresponds to a partial sectional view of the platform showing in detail the horizontal beam and the fixing pins of the fin and the holes; Figure 4b corresponds to a partial section view of the platform showing in detail the simplified version of the horizontal beam and the attachment of the fin; Figure 5 corresponds to an isometric view developed of a pin and a collar that are used to secure the horizontal beams to the platform and the fins to the horizontal beams; Figure 6 corresponds to a detailed view of the two ends of the horizontal beam of Figure 3; Fig. 7a corresponds to a top view of the horizontal beam shown in Fig. 4 with the crank that is fixed to tighten the strap; Figure 7b corresponds to a side view of the horizontal beam shown in Figure 4 with the crank that is fixed to tighten the strap. Figure 8 corresponds to an isometric view of a self-coupling box for use with the system. pallet of the present invention; Figure 9 corresponds to a partial perspective view of the assembled pallet that is incorporated in the present invention loaded with the boxes of Figure 8; Figure 10a corresponds to an elevation view of the pallet with two stacked boxes; and Figure 10b corresponds to a detailed sectional elevation view, taken through the line 10b -10b in Figure 10a, in which the coupling slots of the box on the platform with the keys are shown attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a pallet 10 that is incorporated in the present invention. A platform 12 provides a surface to support the load on the pallet. Various horizontal beams 14 are fixed in a removable manner to the lower surface of the platform. The fins 16 are detachably fixed to the bottom of the horizontal beams as seen in Fig. 2. The fins 16 are inserted in the recesses 18 in the lower part of the horizontal beams. The notches 20 are provided in each horizontal beam to adjust the teeth of the fork for lifting and moving the assembled and loaded pallet. As seen in Figure 1, the platform incorporates various coupling holes 22 for each horizontal beam. As seen in Figure 3, each horizontal beam has flexible multiple pins 24 extending from an upper surface 26. Details of the holes and fixing pins for a version are shown in Fig. 4a. Each orifice has a toothed support 28 which is provided from the surface 30 of the platform and an insert collar 32 extending towards the bottom 34 of the platform. The pins in the horizontal beams fit into the holes and a collar 36 is inserted into the hole in the upper part of the platform with a projection 38 which engages the orifice support. A rod 40 on each pin fits within the hole of the pin 42 and a head 44 engages a holder 46 in the collar hole. Each plug has a slot 48 which provides elasticity for compression of the head during insertion into the hole of the pin during assembly. A core 50 at the base of the pin interconnects the sides. of the body of the pin. A collar and a pin are shown as examples in more detail in Figure 5 as a developed view. In a simplified version shown in Fig. 4b, the collar is not used and the holes in the platform adjust the pins directly with the head of the pin by attaching the hole support with a suitable resizing of the depth of the support to avoid exposure of the pin head on the surface of the platform. Returning to Figure 3, the fins 16 are attached to the horizontal beams in a manner consistent with the coupling of the horizontal beams to the platform. The pins 52 depending on the horizontal beam fit into the holes 54 in each fin. For the version shown, the holes incorporate an insert collar 56 and a support 58. A collar 60 having a fe 62 fits into the hole with the projection that engages the support. Each collar has a pin hole 64 which receives a pin 66 of the pin and a support 68 which engages the head 70 of the pin. Since with the pins the horizontal beams are secured to the platform in the version shown, the pins that secure the fins incorporate a slot 72 for elastic deformation of the head during insertion into the collar. Since with the platform hole and the pin distribution, for a simplified version shown in Figure 4b, the collar is not used for the coupling of the fins and the holes in the fins adjust the pins directly with the pin head by attaching the orifice support with a suitable resizing of the depth of the support to avoid exposure of the pin head under the surface of the fin. To provide a flat bottom for the pallet, the horizontal beams in the shown versions incorporate a recess 76 in which the fin is inserted. The dependent pin that is located on the horizontal beam is basically centered in the recess to attach the fin which results in a flat sliding surface that is formed by the horizontal beam and the fin. To adjust the lift of the pallet by means of a fork, the notches of the teeth 20, as previously described, are provided in the horizontal beams at two points between the recesses of the fins. An integral fastener by strapping and securing is carried out in a pallet incorporating the present invention as shown in Figures 6, 7a and 7b. The horizontal beams incorporate a pair of triangular jaws 78, 80, which are inserted into a triangular groove 82 in an end block 84 on the horizontal beam. The notch is connected to the end of the surface 86 of the block through a slot 88. A strap is inserted through the groove that traverses the jaws and engages frictionally. The removal of tension in the strip pushes the jaws towards the tip of the jaw, forcing the jaws to join providing a greater frictional coupling of the strap to prevent its extraction. The jaws are tightened in the notch by abrupt relief or protrusion 90 on the surface of the notch which engages an edge of the base 92 of the lower jaw 78. A tab 94 in the lower jaw fits into a notch 96 in the upper jaw 80 for coupling the jaws avoiding the separation or the individual movement of a jaw. The tensioning of the strap is effected by a crank 98 which is inserted through an opening 100 in the side wall 102 of the horizontal beam, a strap 104 engages in the slot 106 of the crank. When the handle is turned, the strap is wound on itself for frictional engagement with the handle. Once the strap is fully tensioned, the recoil of the handle allows the jaws to engage the strap completely decreasing the friction of the strap on the crank allowing its extraction.

To extract the strip at the end of the shipment, several methods are used. If the strip is disposable, it is simply cut out of the slot and the tail of the jaws is removed by pulling it in to release the jaws and allow extraction. If the strap is reusable, the crank can be inserted through the opening to engage the strap and extract the tension to allow the disengagement of the jaws which are then removed by laterally moving the jaws from the triangular notch. The tension of the crank is then released allowing the strap to be pulled out of the slot. Finally, in certain versions, an additional opening is provided in the beam adjacent to the triangular notch and the slot of the strip extends through a lateral surface of the end block of the horizontal beam. On a flat surface pin which is driven through an additional opening forces the lateral translation of the jaws and the strap from the groove and groove respectively. Then the jaws are removed from the strap and replaced in the notch. To overcome the problem of breaking the pins in the horizontal beams, the alternative versions of the invention employ removable pins. In a version shown in Figure 4a, the pin incorporates a threaded area 112 on the stem opposite the head. The threaded area is received in a threaded inner diameter 114 in the horizontal beam. The slot in the pin allows a flat blade tool to be used for the insertion or removal of the pin from the horizontal beam. The pallets incorporated in the present invention are especially useful with self stacking containers such as those described in US Patent No. 5,497,939 entitled "Panel Lock Container", the owner of which is the beneficiary of the present invention. , the description of which is described herein by reference being fully disclosed. As shown in Fig. 8 a container 120 having end plates 122, 124 and a folded panel 126 which is tightened by the end plates, employs the stacking fins 128 extending from the upper surface of each end plate. The stacking tabs are engaged in the receiving slots 130 in the end plates of a second stacked container in the upper part of the first container as shown in Figure 9. As detailed in Figs. 10a and 10b, the platform incorporates the keyways 132 which are located in a separate relationship to adjust the adjustment sheets 134 which are then received in the receiving slots of the lower layer of the stacked containers when loaded onto the platform avoiding in this way the slippage or displacement of the containers on the platform of the pallet. For the version shown in the drawings, the adjustment sheets have two configurations. A first configuration is employed for the grooves adjacent the edge of the pallet wherein the key 134 is connected through a horizontal web 136 with respect to the coupling tongue 138 which is received in the receiving groove 130 of the box. This allows the coupling of the boxes on the edge of the pallet with the keyway offset from the periphery of the pallet platform. The box restricts the core by ensuring that the key remains engaged in the slot. The second configuration of the key is used in the inner grooves in the pallet and employs an elongated tongue 140 which is installed in the key which engages the receiving grooves of two adjacent boxes. The pallet and the containers then provide a complete boarding system with an integral interconnection to provide a rigid structure avoiding the displacement or slippage of the cargo. The adjustment blades are removable to allow the use of the pallet with a flat surface if desired and to reduce the stacking volume in the pallets that can be assembled or disassembled. Alternatively, for a pallet shipment, the internal keys are placed in the corresponding place in the grooves for the internal keys of a first platform of the pallet with a second platform of the pallet that are inverted for stacking receiving the keys in their respective keyway slots for coupling to the two platforms.

By now describing the invention in detail as required by the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will recognize the modifications and substitutions to the specific versions described herein. Such modifications are within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A removable pallet for a boat CHARACTERIZED because it comprises: a basically flat platform; a number of horizontal beams that are removably attached to a lower part of the platform, at least one of the horizontal beams has integral means for fixing the pallet strips that are located close to at least one end of the horizontal beam; and means to join the diversity of horizontal beams to the platform. 2. A detachable pallet for shipping as defined in claim 1, CHARACTERIZED because the platform incorporates a second number of holes with support that are located on the platform and are distributed in a linear separation relationship at the coupling locations of the predetermined horizontal beam and means for coupling the amount of horizontal beams comprising: a third amount of flexible slotted pins extending from an upper edge of each horizontal beam, each pin having a spike and an expanded head distal to the upper edge of the beam horizontal; and a number of basically cylindrical collars in number to the second amount, each collar has a body that is inserted in a hole with the respective support, each collar also has an inside diameter in it, the inside diameter has a first area of diameter that is adjusted to receive the stem of the respective pin and a second diameter zone forming a support, the second diameter zone that receives the head of the pin with the support engages the head to tighten the pin in the hole. A detachable pallet for shipping as defined in claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises: a fourth number of fins, each fin extending perpendicularly to the horizontal beams and fixed removably to a lower edge of each horizontal beam; and the means to fix the fins to the horizontal beams. A detachable pallet for shipping as defined in claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that each fin has a number of holes with support and the means for joining the fins to the horizontal beams comprising: a fourth quantity of flexible slotted pins, one pin depends on each horizontal beam to be coupled to the respective fin, each pin has a stem and an expanded head distal with respect to the horizontal beam; and a number of basically cylindrical collars, each collar has a body that is inserted in the respective support hole in the fin and a flange extending from the body and which is attached to the support of the respective hole, each collar also has a diameter inside it, the inner diameter has a first area of diameter that is adjusted to receive the stem of the respective pin and a second area of diameter that forms a support, the second area of diameter that receives the head of the pin with the support is coupled to the head to tighten the pin in the hole. A detachable pallet for shipping as defined in claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the fixing means comprises: a pair of jaws having a basically triangular cross section, the jaws are forked between a tip and a base, the pair of jaws is adjusted in a triangular notch in an end region of at least one horizontal beam, the end zone further has a slot extending through a first side wall of the end area to a point of the notch so that the strip of The pallet extends through it, the strap of the pallet extends further through the bifurcation in the jaws and, under tension, frictionally pushes the jaws towards the triangular groove. A detachable pallet for shipping as defined in claim 5, CHARACTERIZED in that the triangular notch is contiguous with a distal attachment of the tip, the fixation engages the base of the pair of jaws to prevent displacement from the tip of the notch. A detachable pallet for shipping as defined in claim 5, characterized in that a first element of the pair of jaws incorporates an articulation fin that is received in an articulated notch in a second element of the pair of jaws to prevent the separation of the pair of jaws . A detachable pallet for shipping as defined in claim 5, characterized in that at least one horizontal beam includes an opening in a second side wall perpendicular to the first side wall, the opening close to the base of the triangular notch and further comprises a crank having a grooved body that fits through the opening for a coupling of the pallet strap for tensioning upon rotation of the crank. A detachable pallet for boarding as defined in claim 3, CHARACTERIZED because each horizontal beam also incorporates notches in the fork at the lower edge. 10 A removable pallet for shipping as defined in claim 2, CHARACTERIZED because the groove in each grooved pin originates in the head and extends through the stem of the key towards the core. 11. A detachable pallet for shipping as defined in claim 4, CHARACTERIZED because each slot is received in a recess in the lower surface of the horizontal beam and the key depends on an upper surface of each recess of the respective fin in the horizontal beam. 12. A detachable pallet for shipping as defined in claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the platform incorporates a number of keyways slots that are placed in a separate relationship with respect to the receiving slots in the stackable containers that will be placed on the platform and further comprises Adjustment sheets that fit into the keyways for coupling the receiving slots on the stackable containers. 3. A method for the assembly and use of a detachable pallet for boarding CHARACTERIZED porgue comprises the steps of: providing a basically flat platform that incorporates a number of holes with support that are located on the platform and are distributed in a linear separation relationship in the coupling locations of the horizontal beams; assemble horizontal beams that have flexible slotted pins that extend from one outer edge of each horizontal beam to a lower part of the platform, each pin has a shank and an expanded head distal to the upper edge of the horizontal beam on the platform inserting the pins through the holes in the platform; fixing the horizontal beams to the platform using cylindrical collars having a body that is inserted in the respective hole with support and a flange extending from the body coupling to the support of the respective hole, each collar also has an inside diameter in it, the inner diameter has a first diameter area that is adjusted to receive the stem of the respective pin and a second diameter area that forms a support, the second diameter area that receives the head of the pin with the support is attached to the head to tighten the pin in the hole, the head of the flexible pin is deformed for reception into the collar hole and expanded to engage the support. A method for the assembly and use of a detachable pallet for boarding as defined in claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: assembling the fins to the horizontal beams wherein each fin extends perpendicularly to the horizontal beams and it fits removably in a recess in a lower edge of each horizontal beam, each fin also has a number of holes with support that receive the flexible slotted pins, a pin depends on an upper surface of each respective recess of the fin in each horizontal beam, each pin has a stem and an extended head distal with respect to the upper surface of the recess; fixing the fins to the horizontal beams using cylindrical collars having a body that is inserted into the respective hole with support and a flange extending from the body coupling the support of the respective hole, each collar also has an inside diameter on it, the inner diameter has a first diameter zone that is adjusted to receive the stem of the respective pin and a second diameter zone that forms a support, the second diameter area that receives the head of the pin with the support that is attached to the head for tighten the pin in the hole, the head of the flexible pin is deformed for reception into the collar hole and expanded to engage the support. 5. A method for the assembly and use of a detachable pallet for shipping as defined in claim 13, CHARACTERIZED because it further comprises the steps of: Inserting a pair of jaws having a basically triangular section, the jaws bifurcate between a point and a base, in a triangular groove in an end area of at least one horizontal beam, the end zone further has a groove extending through a first side wall of the end zone towards a tip of the groove so that the strap of the pallet extends through it. 6. A method for the assembly and use of a detachable pallet for boarding as defined in claim 14, CHARACTERIZED because it also comprises the steps of: loading the material to be shipped on the platform; guide the pallet strap on the shipped material; inserting a crank having a grooved body through an opening in a second side wall perpendicular to the first side wall, further providing the opening close to the base of the triangular groove in at least one horizontal beam for coupling into the strip of the pallet inserting the strip through the slot in the first side wall of the horizontal beam and through the bifurcation in the jaws into the slot on the crank; and tension the strap by turning the crank, the tensioned strip frictionally drives the jaws towards the triangular notch to lock the strap when releasing the tension in the crank. 7. A method for the assembly and use of a detachable pallet for shipping as defined in claim 13, CHARACTERIZED in that the platform incorporates a number of grooves for keys and further comprises the steps of: inserting adjustment sheets into the keyways; and loading the self-stacking containers having receiving grooves on a lower surface thereof on the platform with the adjustment sheets to be coupled by the receiving grooves. SUMMARY A removable pallet for boarding incorporates a basically flat platform with multiple horizontal beams that attach removably to the bottom of the platform. The holes with support are distributed in a linear separation relationship at the predetermined horizontal beam coupling locations on the flexible slotted pins which engage the platform extending from an upper edge of each horizontal beam. The various fins that extend perpendicularly to the horizontal beams and fit removably in a recess in the lower edge of each horizontal beam are attached to the horizontal beams using also flexible shaved pins. The horizontal beams support the triangular clamps that are inserted in the triangular recesses in an area of the end of the horizontal beam to receive and fix the strips of the pallet. An opening in the side of the horizontal beam allows the insertion of a slotted crank to tighten the straps of the pallet. The platform incorporates slots that are adapted to receive the keys that extend over the surface of the platform by engaging the receiving slots in a first layer of the stacking boxes.